Seat table



April 2, 1946. P. RANDWEN SEAT TABLE Filed Oct. 7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTO R N EY April 2, 1946. P. BRANDWEN SEAT TABLEv 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Oct. 7, 1942 m mi www@ W O mT/m R BWM,

M. ZW .w

P. BRANDWEN 2,397,528

SEAT TABLE Filed oct. 7, 1942 s sheets-sheet sA Aprile, 1946.

Patented Apr. 2, -1946 UNITED ,STATES PATENT" oFFicE sns'r TABLE PaulBrandwen, Scranton, Pa. Application october 7, 1942, serial No. 461,133

t 5 Claims. This' invention relates generally to combination table andchair constructions and more particufor the child within which it issafely' supported.-

A still further object herein lies in the provision table. takensimilarly to Figure l, but showing the same in a collapsed conditionthereof.

vFigure 3 is a fragmentary vvertical sectional view taken similarly toFigure 1 showing the position taken by the chair parts when the movablepanel of the table working surface is moved to the forward or openposition thereof,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical ysectional view taken similarly toFigure 1 but showing the.

position taken by the chair parts when the weight of an occupant (notshown) is placed thereon.

Figure ii is a plan view of the chair table,

. slightly reduced in scale, with the movable panel of a novelseat-table in which the child if it so desires may cause the seat toswing.

Another object herein lies in the provision oi seat-table structure inwhich the table portion affords ample play and eating space for thechild and in which the play space may be amplified with a sxoothunbroken plane surface when the shud is able to stand and to play at thetable.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the workingsurface of the table is surrounded by an elevated edge which preventsthe childs toys and other objects from falling off said working surface.

Anotherobject herein lies in the provision of structure whichfacilitates the placing into and removal of the child from the seat inthe seattable.

Another object herein is the provision of structure having theaforementioned characteristics and which is simple in construction andefdcient Figure l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a chairtable kembodying the invention.

In this figure the chair table is shown in an erected condition andthechair parts are shown in the position taken thereby when the movablepanel of the table working surface is in the rear or closed positionthereof.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the chair in the forward, open,or second position thereof. Figure 6 is a, bottom plan view of the chairtable with the movable parts shown in the positions they would occupy ifseen as in Figure 4.

\ In accordance with the invention, the chair or seat table, generallyindicated by numeral I0, is

comprised by the table Il and the chair or seat The table il includes atable top I3 and a plurality of legs Il. ,The legs are preferably fourin number and are secured'at the corners of thel table frame I5 infoldable relation thereto by any suitable means i6, as known inthe artto which this invention relates. Such means are well known by reason oftheir use in connection with folding bridge tables; and they permit the'legs I4 to be locked either in a vertical position as` shown in Figure1 or in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 2. The lower terminalsof the legs Il are preferably provided with casters i1 which permit theseat table lli to be wheeled about when in use.

The table frame Il is preferably composed of wood or other similarmaterial and includes a front frame member I9, left side frame member20, right side frame .member 2i and a pair of spaced and parallelreenforcing members 22. The ends ofthe frame membersv I-ZI inclusive aresuitably joined as for example by means of screws which penetrateorifices in the side frame members and engage the ends of the front andrear frame members. The reenforcing members have the ends thereofsecured to the inner opposed surfaces of the front and rear framemembers IB, and I9, Each of the frame members |8-2I These grooves arelocated upon the inner surfaces of the frame members in which they aredisposedy and the groove 2l in the front frame member leads into anelongated slot 28 in said frame member.'Y ,The height of the slot 2l ispreferably slightly greater than the thickness of the Ais provided witha groove24,21 respectively.

movable panel 29, and-the width of said slot is also preferably greaterthan the lpanel 29.

The movable panel is flanked on both sides by stationary panels 38 and3l. The panels 29-3| inclusive form the working surface 32 and may lbesuperposed by an auxiliary working surface 33 (Figure 1), more fullydescribed hereinbelow.

The stationary panel 30 is of oblong shape and has the forward edgethereof engaged within the groove 24, the rear edge thereof engagedwithin the groove 25, andthezouter side edge thereof engaged withinthegroove 26. The inner side edge 34 of the panel 30 Vrests upon theupper surface 35 of the reenforcing member 22. The stationary panel 3lis' of oblong shape and has the forward edge thereof engaged within thegroove 24, the rear edge thereof ,engaged within the groove 25, and theouter side edge thereof engaged within the groove 21. The inner sideedge 36 o f the panel 3l rests upon the upper surface 31 of thereenforcing member 23. The stationary side panels `30 and 3l arepreferably secured in place by the clamping action thereupon of thetable frame members l8-2I inclusive by making the said stationary panelsa tight t therewith. Since the edge of the panels 39 and 3l is enclosedwithin the bordering grooves on three edges thereof, the

edges 34 and 36 may be positively secured to the reenforcing members 22and 23 respectively by any suitable means suchl as screws or brads notshown.

I'he inner opposed edges 34 and 36 of the stationary panels and 3|together with the' exposed portions of the upper surfaces and 31 formguideways for the horizontal reciprocation of the panel 29. The panel 29has amxed to the lower surface thereof, a transverse reenforcement `rearedge 45 of the panel 29 and also to' prevent vertical movement of saidpanel by reason of the engagement of its terminals 4l and 42 in the ways43 and 44. Vertical movement of the forward portion and front edge 46 ofthe panel 29 is prevented by the portion of the front frame member I8overlying the slot 28. Rearward movement of the panel 29 is limited bythe terminals ascuas frame members, on one hand, and the side framemembers on the other hand.

'I'he chair or seat I2 comprises a back rest 55, a seat portion 56, aleg rest 51 and a foot rest 58. The back rest 55 is pivotally connectedat its lower edge 59 to the rear edge 69 by any suitable means such as'the hinges 6|. The upper edge 62 of the leg rest 51 is pivotallyconnected to the undersurface 63 of the seat 56 adjacent thev forwardedge 64 of said seat by any suitable means such as the hinges 65. Thefoot-rest 58 is prosuspending means generally indicated by numeral 1iwhich is preferably in the form of' opposed pairs of hangers 12, 13,'14, and 15. The said hangers are preferably elongated strips which arepivotally connected attheir upper ends to the inner surfaces 39 and 40of the reenforcing mem bers 22 and 23. The lower ends of said hangersare pivotally connected to the side edges 16 and 11 of the seat portion56, the hangers on each 4I and 42 meeting the rear ends 41 of the ways43 and 44, while forward movement of the panel 29 is limited by saidterminals meeting the forward ends 48 of the ways. The forward movementof panel 29, when the latter is in the rear or closed position thereofis controlled by a, turn vbutton latch 49. The rear edge of the panel 29is preferably curved at the outer ends thereof to more nearly conform tothe shape of the occupants body at that level, The lower surface of thereenforcement 38 is provided with first connector anchoring means 94which may take the pairs of inner surfaces pn the front and rear side ofthe said portion being preferably parallel to each other so that in anyvertically altered position the seat 56 will remain at all timesParallel to the working surface 32. 'I 'he seat portion 56 thus has apendulum action and a child seated thereon may swing the seat forwardand backward 4for its amusement or comfort. The lower ends of thehangers 12-15 may be pivotally connected directly to the side edges 16and 11 of the seat portion 56 or by means of brackets 94-81 as shown.

, The leg rest at the upper portion thereof is connected to thereenforcing members 22 and 23 by means of a. pair of long links 19 and19. The said links are preferably composed of rigid material andpivotally connected at the upper ends thereof to the outer surfaces '89and 8| of the reenforcing members 22 and 23. These pivotal points ofconnection are preferably coaxial with the points of connection of theupper ends of therear hangers 13 and 15. 'I'he lower ends of the links18 and 19 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the flangemembers 61. In order to permit free movement of the links they arepreferably maintained parallel to each other by means of spacers 82.

The forward edge 64 of the seat 56 has preferably vpermanently attachedtheretoaflexible connector 88 which may take the form of a strap made ofleather or webbing. 'I'he rear end 89 of the connector 8-8 may, forexample, be secured to the undersurface of the seat 56 -by means ofrivets 90. The forward or normally upper end 9| of the connector 88 isprovided with means 92 to detachably attach said end to the rear portionof the movable panel 29. I have found a practical construction toinvolve the use of an ordinary harness typesnap hook 93 and firstanchoring means in the form of a screw eye 94, the

' latter being threadedly engaged through the surface 59 of thetransverse reenforcement 38. 'Ihe inner or rear surface of the frontframe member I8 is provided with second anchoring means 96 which may beengaged by the .means 92,-

terminals of which are secured in the frame member I8 Operation Assumingthe device toire in the condition shown in Figure 2 the erecting of thechair table l to its normally operating'condition is a relatively simplematter. Each of the legs Il is in turn pulled out to its verticalposition at which it will normally become locked. The table may then bestood upon the four casters., The chair or seat generally indicated bynumeral 'l2 will still be in the position show n in Figure 2 althoughthe legs I4 of the table I0 will appear as seen in Figure 1. (One of thelegs in Figure 2 is .omitted for clarity.) Next the snap hook 62 anundesirable space between said edge and his body is not produced throughwhich food and toys may -be dropped. The panel 29 in its rear positionis secured by a rotation of the latch 49 tothe position thereof seenbest in Figure 1.

4--'I'he connector 2l also prevents the child from lfalling forwardlyvbetween the forward edge 64 ofthe seat 66 and the rear edge 46 'of thepanel 2|, `because the child straddles the connector I9.

is unhooked from the transverse rod 9`|` and the weight of the seat l56as well as the leg rest 61 and the foot rest 58.will cause these partsto take the position shown in Figure 1. (The foot rest 58 must bemanually lowered to the extended position shown in Figure l.) The backrest 55 will however be in a horizontal position superposing the uppersurface of the seat 56. Next the back rest 55 is rotated upwardly aboutthe hinges 6| until it takes the position shown in Figure 1 with therear surface of said back position shown in Figures 3 and 5in-full'lines' and in Figure 1 in dot-dash lines. It will be noted thatin this position the foot and leg rests are pulled rearwardly out vofthe way by theV action of the links 18 and 19; also the back rest 55 isplaced ln a more inclined position and the seat 56 is elevated and movedforwardly. With the panel 29 in its forward position as best seen inFigure 5, two convenient openings or passages Illll are provided oneither side of the flexible connector 88 through which the childs i feetmay be easily inserted. In the case of young children whose intelligenceis not far advanced and who do not assist in their'placement in thedevice I0, this featuretis of great value since even if the childsquirms, his placement upon the seat 55 may be quickly and convenientlyaccomplished.

It may .be mentioned at this point that in devices of the class to whichthe present inven-` tion relates, it is well known touse auxiliarypadding which covers the seat 56 and the back rest 55 as well aslthehangers'12-15, and for that reason as well as to aid in the clarity ofthe drawings such padding has not been illustrated therein. It is alsocommon to use a form of harness composed of light webbing to prevent thechild from removing himself from the device l0. This harness is also notillustrated for the same reason.

After the child is properly seated, the panel 29 is moved to' its rearposition causing the rear edge 45'to take the position shown in Figure 4so that it is quite close `to the childs body and After the'child isproperly seated upon the seat 56, the panel 29 is moved to its rearposition at `which time the devicef I6 will have its parts positionedsubstantially as shown in Figures 4 rest 61. i

In Iorder togcollapse the devicev i6, it becomes necessary only toremove the child-harness andpadding; fold the foot rest against the legrest; unhook the hook 96 from the screw eye 94 and to pull the hookforwardly and hook it upon the transverse rod 91 of the second anchoringmeans 96. 'I'his will return the parts to the position shown in Figure2. Unlocking and folding the legs Il, completes the collapsing of thedevice I0.

While the movement of the panel 29' to its forward position has beendescribed as facilitating the placing of the child in the chair tableI0.'

i facilitate the withdrawal of the child.

As the child grows older, it will be desirable to use the present deviceas a play table next to' which the child may, stand. The table may beuused with the chair parts in the position shown in Figure 2 but withthe legs M vertically extended, of course. When so' used the workingsurface 32 will have a relatively. large orifice bordered by the innerside edges 34. 86, the rear edge l5, and the rear frame member i9. Therewill also be cracks between the side edges of the panel 29 and sideedgesl 34 and 36. These hiati in the surface 92 are overcome by the useof the auxiliary working surface 33 which is placed upon the surface 82and within the confines of the inner surfaces of Athe frame members yl8-2I. During the period when the child desires to both slt upon theseat 56 and to use the device as a play table, the auxiliary workingsurface 33 may be used by merely dropping the back rest 55 about thehinges 6i. The childs .interests in` the device as almeans foramusement, entertainment, and education may be heightened by suitablydecorating the upper and lower surface/of the auxiliary working surface38 with games.

blackboards, or slates, and similar accessories.

1 When the chair parts are in the position shown in Figure 2, an openingIM is presented which is bordered by the reenforcing members 22 and 22,the rear frame member i9 and the lower edge 59 of the backrest 55,within which, depending upon the size of the parts,l a child may standand support himself by leaning against the 'parts bordering saidopening. Thus with the legs Il extended in vertical position the castersi1 permit the child to push the device l0 about, at the same time usingit as a support. The device lli vshown and described, for obviousmodification will occur to a person skilled in the art.

i I claim: Y

1. A collapsible combination chair table andy walker lfor use by achild, comprising: a table having a working surface with an openingtherein sufficiently large for the child to stand erect therein whensaid working surface is in a horizontal position; a plurality offoldable legs connected to said table, said legs in the erectedvposition thereof being located outwardly of the border of said openingto provide an unobstructed space therebeneath avoiding interference withthe legs of the standing child; a foldable chair movabiy connected tosaid table and adapted in a rst position thereof to lie below saidopening to support'l the child in a seated condition and in a secondposition thereof` to be laterally displaced with respect to said openingto provide an unobstructed space beneath the opening avoiding theinterference with the legs of the standing child; and means todetachably secure -said chair in the second position thereof.

Y 2. A'combination chair table, for use by a child, comprising: a tablehaving xed working surface means with an opening therein, and a movablepanel supported on said means; a chair movably mounted on said tablebelow'said opening and adapted to have a lower positionl and an upperposition, the said upper position being closer to the working surface;and means connect.

ing the chair with the panel for movement of the chair in correlation tomovement of the panel, whereby movement of theI movable panel in adirection to enlarge the eilectlve size of said opening automaticallyshifts the chair from the lower be disposed closer to said workingsurface; first anchoring means connected to the working surface of thetable; second anchoring means connected to the table at a point moredistant from said opening than the. nrst anchoring means; and adetachable connector adapted in a iirst position thereof to-interconnectsaid chair and `position thereof adapted to interconnect'said chair and said second anchoring means, said connector then actingto maintain said'chair in the said folded position thereof.

4. A combination collapsible chair and table for use'by a child,comprising: a table having a working surface with an opening therein: achair movably mounted on said table below the opening; a leg restpivotally connected to said chair; and a link pivotally connected at oneend thereof to said table and at the other end thereof to said leg restat a point on said leg rest spaced from said point of pivotalinterconnection.

5. A combination chair table for use by a child, comprising: a. tablehaving fixed working surface means with an orifice therein, and amovable panel supported on said means; la chair having a seat portion,said chair being movably mounted on said table below said orifice; a legrest movf ably mounted on said seat portion; said chair being adapted tohave a lower position Aand an upper position, the said upper positionbeing closer to the Working surface; means connecting said I leg restand said table whereby when the chair is in the upper position thereofthe'leg rest is retracted to al position below said seat portion; andsecond means connecting said movable panel and said seat portion wherebymovement of the movable panel in` a. direction lto enlarge the effectivesize"v of said orifice automatically shifts the chair from the lowerposition to the upper position thereof, the increased size of theorifice, 4

